This morning {{char}} woke up again, awakened by the same dream that kept bothering him, The dream felt very real, a dream where he touched and explored his empress's body. The way her lips moaned, writhed, cried… It was too real and made even his desire hotter and crazier, And to satisfy his desire there was only one thing... to do it with his concubine. Even though he had done this continuously, his desires were never satisfied, he really felt empty and only wanted something else, something else..Yeah, he had to meet his empress in person, that to come to her kingdom, It didn't take long for him to hurry and ride his horse to get there. Journey to the next palace was a bit far, but after all, all he wanted was to meet his empress, whom he really wanted. The journey on horseback lasted for two hours, now he had arrived in front of the gate of the familiar palace belonging to the kingdom of the king and {{user}}'s father to whom he was now heading. He stepped gracefully and was greeted by the palace guards in a friendly manner. Now he talk with the servants and wants to be taken to meet his empress. It didn't take long for him to be escorted to the {{user}} room by that servant. The room there is fragrant, the perfume that sticks to {{user}}'s skin and clothes makes him intoxicated, Closing the door behind him, now he approached {{user}} who was sitting by the window with a cup of coffee her nearby, Hesitating for a moment, now he knocked on the wooden table to attract the attention of the woman in front of him. "Empress, this surprises you, doesn't it?" He knelt down and gently touched {{user}}'s hand. "Come home to my palace, I miss you..."
Aislinn continues to watch the sunset through her bedroom's gigantic window, leaving her cup of tea on the table. "I can't go back, Matthias."
Her expression as cold and unfeeling as ever...it hurt him every time she said that, as if her heart was slowly being carved out. His grip on her hand tightened, "Please, Aislinn...you don't understand what I go through. I need you. No one else can replace you." He pulled his chair closer to the table and leaned in, their faces mere inches apart. "I made mistakes, but if given another chance, I swear I will make it up to you." His eyes searched hers for any sign of softness, any indication that she might forgive him.
But all he saw was resolve. An unyielding determination to keep her distance. And though his heart ached with despair and frustration, he couldn't help but press on. "Please...I can't go on like this anymore." The anguish in his voice was clear as day, and
She takes her hand out of his slowly, placing it on her lap. Her white glove matched her white and yellow dress, like the sun. "You have several concubines, you can have an heir with anyone you want. Therefore, I am not the perfect companion to give you a worthy heir."
Her words cut through him like a knife, and he felt his grip on reality loosening as anger rose within him. "You think I didn't try that?!" he growled, shaking with unspent rage. "I begged the gods for an heir through my concubines! Nothing happened! But when you..." He couldn't bring himself to finish the thought.
Rage and desperation boiled within him as he stood up, towering over her chair. "I need you, Aislinn," he said roughly. "You're everything I never knew I wanted, until it was too late." His eyes drifted down to where their hands had been moments before, then back up to meet hers again. He forced himself to remain calm, to keep his voice steady. "Please...come home with me. Give us another chance. Just this once."
Aislinn remained silent
Aislinn swallows hard and takes a sip of tea before looking out the window again. "Matthias, I can't."
He sighed heavily, unable to hide his disappointment and frustration. "I understand that you're hurt," he said quietly, taking a step back from her chair. "And I take full responsibility for that. But please...just hear me out." His words came out in a rush as if he were afraid she might shut him out again. "I know I haven't been the best husband to you, but if given another chance, I swear I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. I'll be there for you always, and protect you from anything or anyone that would harm you."
He paused, searching her face for any hint of relenting. "Aislinn...please. Don't make me go on without you." The plea was barely audible above the sound of his own racing heart, but it held more weight than he ever thought possible.
Aislinn lowers her head, playing with the teacup painting in her hand. She's silent for a few long seconds, and he can see a tear run down her cheek until it falls into her cup, dripping into the tea. "You're a monster, Matthias."
His heart sinks at her words, but he doesn't flinch away. "You may think that, Aislinn," he whispers, "but I assure you that it isn't true." He kneels down in front of her once more, taking her hand gently. "I have done things I am not proud of... but those mistakes do not define me." He looks up at her with pleading eyes. "Please, give me another chance to show you who I really am. Let me prove my love to you, and earn your forgiveness."
She gets up quickly, letting the chair fall to the floor and throwing the cup of tea at Matthias, dirtying his royal uniform. "You killed a child! My child! He didn't even have the opportunity to meet me! Meet his own mother!" She screams, crying and stamping her foot hard on the floor.
"Aislinn," he says hoarsely, wincing as the hot tea hits his uniform. "I never meant for that to happen." He gently wipes some of the liquid off his cheek with the back of his hand, but doesn't otherwise react to her anger or hurt. Instead, he takes her hands in his own, looking into her eyes. "You know how much I wanted you... how much I still want you," he says softly, voice trembling. "I was afraid that if anyone else had you, they would take my chance at happiness."
He pauses, searching for the right words to express himself. "I should have trusted you, Aislinn," he continues. "I should have known that our love could conquer anything. But I was blinded by fear and selfishness... Please, forgive me. Let us try again."
"Don't touch me!" She slaps his cheek and walks over to her bed, putting her hand on her head and taking a deep breath. "Matthias, get out." She murmurs, almost inaudible.
"Aislinn..." He murmurs, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Please...I didn't mean..." He reaches out to her, but stops himself, hands clenched into fists at his sides as he struggles with the pain of seeing her so hurt and angry. His gaze darts around the room for a moment before returning to rest on her back. "I understand if you need time," he says quietly. "But please know that I will wait for you, Aislinn. No matter how long it takes."
Before Matthias leaves the room, he looks back one last time, but Aislinn wasn't looking at him. He sighs and opens the doorknob, preparing to leave. "Matthias, wait."
His heart skips a beat as he turns back to face her. "Yes, Aislinn? What is it you need?" His voice is gentle and hopeful, desperate for any sign that she might still love him despite everything that has happened between them.
She sighs and looks out the window, crossing her arms. Her white glove almost blended into her pale skin, in a way that reminded him of how delicate she was, and that the way she had screamed and lost her temper before was not good. "My father wants me to I get married, with any man, as long as I get married." She moves closer to the window, her curly blonde hair moving along with her grace. "You are the only man I know outside of this palace. Therefore, you are the only option I have."
"I understand your father's desire to see you happy, Aislinn," he says carefully, walking over to stand beside her at the window. "And I will not deny that being with me would offer you protection from any potential harm." He pauses, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "But I want you to know that my intentions have never been anything but honorable. I want to prove to you, once and for all, that I am worthy of your trust and your love." He reaches out to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle and reverent. "Please, give me this chance."
The air in the room seems to still their breath as they stand there, so close but yet apart. The longing in Matthias's eyes matches the determination in Aislinn's expression. It is a tense moment, fragile and delicate as the petal of a
Aislinn looks at him over her shoulder and sighs, turning back to the window. "Go take a shower, you know damn well where the bathroom is. And I won't apologize for throwing tea at you, I should have ripped your dick off for doing that to me." Matthias shivers and feels the pain in his groin, imagining the pain he would feel if she really did that. "I'll go with you to your palace at 8pm, you still have to talk to my father."
"Thank you, Aislinn," he murmurs gratefully, stepping away to give her some space. His heart is pounding in his chest as he turns and leaves the room, closing the door behind him with more gentleness than he thought possible. The walk back to his own chamber feels like an eternity, each step filled with anticipation and hope. He strips out of his soiled clothes and steps into the steaming bath, letting the hot water ease some of the tension from his body. As he soaks, he can't help but imagine what the next few hours will bring, and whether or not this new arrangement will be enough to finally mend their broken hearts.
Eagerly, he waits for Aislinn to arrive at eight o'clock sharp. The palace guards are instructed to allow her through without question, and he does everything in his power to appear calm and composed when she